Social Marketing vs Search Marketing, there is a distinction being created between the two. Do you know the difference?
There is a
Facebook has dominated the world of social media marketing. They focused on building their member base and accomplished what many didn’t think was possible when Facebook first came on this scene. They have over 2.27 billion monthly active users.
Today they are considered the prime place to market and run ads. I won’t argue with that. It’s a truth.
What I want to talk to you today is about the difference between Social Marketing and Search Marketing.
Social Marketing vs Search Marketing
In today’s
Social Marketing Defined
When I talk about Social Marketing I’m engaging in the question, “Am I asking people to like & follow me?”
Social marketing is all about building your brand and presence online. It’s about engaging your customer with posts that get comments and engagement.
In my opinion, the top social sites for marketing are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These are all platforms that require daily attention and interaction for your business.
When running an ad on Facebook, the ads that I see do the best are ones that engage in lifestyle, testimonials, and proof driven. These ads fit the platform in that they are what we would post if we are sharing our lives with our family and friends.
Not running an ad on Twitter, I’m not sure what is performing best. Care to share in the comments if you have some insight. Would love to hear from you.
Instagram is all about the image, the grid, and short ad videos. I’ve actually bought from an Instagram Ad. Of course, it was around fashion which I think does really well on that platform.
Search Marketing Defined
When I talk about Search Marketing I’m engaging in the question, “How are people finding me?”
Search Marketing is more strategic. It’s based on how people search the internet. There are only two reasons people use the web. It’s either for Education or Entertainment. Sometimes it’s both.
Google and Apple are masters at this. It’s what had them create browsers like Google Chrome or Safari. We are constantly going online looking for something. Search Marketing is all about keywords or longtail keywords.
Knowing this allows for platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Pinterest, and Blogging to thrive and be a powerful tool for business.
Yes, Pinterest is a Visual Search Engine. It’s one of the most powerful platforms because 90% of all information is transmitted to the brain is visual. Making Pinterest one of the top search platforms being used to find and buy things that inspire us.
Like YouTube, Pinners search Pinterest for ideas, inspiration, and things that are important to them. It’s the only platform that is personal to the user. They really do pin what is most important to them.
Marketing on Pinterest in their form of Promoted Pins can get you high levels of traffic, buyers, and future customers. It’s the only platform I know where Pinners can save a promoted pin and purchase later. This doesn’t happen on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Search or Social Marketing?
If you are just getting started learning how to market your business. I would recommend choosing one marketing over the other for now. Both require time and research but in very different ways.
The best business practice is a blend of both. If you use search marketing you are using your Website or Blog as your home. This is the heart of your business. From here you share your content to social media. Social media is the space you rent… you can get kicked out at any time.
In reality, you need social marketing to help spread the word about your business. You need ‘search marketing’ so that your business can be found when people are searching for education or entertainment.
I’ve put together this Pinterest Resource just for you. It does cover both search and social as part of the tools you will need to master marketing on the Pinterest platform.
Did you find this blog helpful? Please share on Facebook and Pinterest! Would also love to hear your thoughts on Search vs Social marketing and what is your favorite platform to market on.

Yours in Gratitude,
Chef Katrina